How can I enjoy vacation in San Diego in a tight budget?
How to plan a budget vacation in San Diego?
Tags: budget, Diego, enjoy, tight, Vacation
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on Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 at 2:07 pm and is filed under San Diego Vacation.
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if you are on tight budget, you must look for cheap accommodation, then only you can save money and enjoy san diego. Dont hire taxi go on foot or by bus. Dont go for the higher paid attractions and all.
you can see the cheap hotels here
There are lots of things to do in San Diego that do not cost a lot.
First of all, get a good deal on your hotel. You can search for budget hotels at http://www.sandiego-romantics.com/budget-hotels.html. This site does not make reservations, but does have link to the websites of recommended hotels and suggestions for getting a good deal.
Free or inexpensive ideas:
relaxing on the beach, watching the sunset, drive to the top of Mt. Soledad in La Jolla for a panoramic view, hike along the coast at Torrey Pines or Cabrillo National Monument, wine tasting at wineries, cruse the bay on the Bahia Belle for only $6 per person, explore Balboa Park (gardens are free and museums rotate being free on Tuesdays), or take the ferry from downtown San Diego to Coronado Island. Learn more about what to do in San Diego at http://www.sandiego-romantics.com
It depends on where you’re coming from. If you’re driving down from the Los Angeles area, then I would suggest that you spend a day at Sea World or the San Diego Zoo and then drive back.
Although it’s fall, it’s still a little warm and a trip to the beach is always inexpensive.
check this out
http://www.sandiego.org
They have a lot of great rates on various rooms and activities.
Check out the trolley system on-line, also. Cheap transportation.
sloopy
While there are many things a person can do without to save costs on a San Diego vacation, I don’t think a car should be on that list.
As a traveler who strives to use public transportation whenever feasible, I’ve always used it when visiting places like London, Chicago, Rome, Paris, Madrid, etc., because of the comprehensive public transportation networks.
However much of what there is to see in San Diego is not on the Trolley line nor is it well-served by buses. Without a car, you cannot go out to the end of Point Loma, to the top of La Jolla’s Mount Soledad, to Torrey Pines, North County beaches, etc. Yes, you can take the bus to Mission Beach, but it takes quite a while.
So, rather than do without a car, I suggest looking for ways to reduce the cost of renting one.
Prices fluctuate for what seem to be unknown reasons. I check sites often and look for deals. I just checked Yahoo travel for a week in October, and you can get a small car for $110/week, which includes all the taxes and fees.
I have also done this, not only in San Diego but also Portland, Seattle and Chicago [for a trip way out of the city]: pick up the car from a rental office not affiliated with the airport. In these cases, it meant taking public transport to downtown, and getting the rental car there. [there was no extra charge for dropping the car off at the airport...the fees only apply to cars picked up at the airport]
On a trip last year we needed to rent a car [I'm from there so it's usually not necessary], and found a way that saved us a lot:
1
took Bus 992 [http://www.sdmts.com/RouteFiles/routes/pdf/992.pdf] from the airport to downtwon [$2.25, takes 15mins, runs every 15 mins]
2
Walked 3 blocks from the bus stop to a rental car office and saved $80 compared to renting the same car at the airport [$85 actually...I subtracted the $4.50 for the bus ride].
The cost savings isn’t always so great [I wouldn't do it to save $15, but for $80 heck yes], but at least you can check the internet to see if there are price differences. And with mapping sites like mapquest, you can find out where a rental car office is located.
Other reasons for having a car in San Diego:
1
You can stay in lodgings that are a little out of the way [non-tourist areas] that are less expensive.
2
You can cut down on restaurant costs by buying food in markets, carrying it in an inexpensive ice chest [sold at every supermarket] with you in the car’s trunk/boot [get the ice at your hotel..just don't be a hog]. That way, you can have great picnic meals in that great San Diego weather wherever you go….beach, park, etc. [You can leave that ice chest in your hotel room when you check out, and someone will make use of it.] I wouldn’t want you to eliminate eating out in San Diego, but it is a way to cut costs…saving the money for the more memorable meals or activities.
Have a great time in San Diego!
Stay in the KOA camping cabin sleeps 4-6 for only 85 a night
Cook a couple of meals at the outdoor kitchens they have.
They are located near downtown San diego and are very nice and friendly Lots of out of state tourists and some international too
Buy the San Diego Card and use everything on it All the big and little amusements are included in the price. Sea world, zoo, tour buses, resteruants, museums, etc…
Try http://www.cheap-fun-family-travel.com/California.html for more ideas